Korea Zinc and Hanwha Solutions Q CELLS Division have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on recycling end-of-life solar panels, a growing challenge as the renewable energy sector expands. The partnership focuses on developing a resource circulation system to recover valuable materials like aluminum, glass, copper, and silver from discarded solar modules.
This initiative builds on existing collaboration between the companies, where Korea Zinc already recycles process waste from Hanwha Q CELLS’ solar panel manufacturing. The new MOU aims to enhance these efforts by establishing a network for panel collection, automating disassembly, and maximizing recycling rates. Solar panels, which consist of up to 85% recyclable materials, are viewed as key components in creating a sustainable, circular economy.
Korea Zinc is also expanding its “urban mining” activities, recovering metals from electronic waste, and recently received certification for producing 100% recycled copper. The project aligns with both companies’ ESG goals, aiming to reduce environmental impact and generate profits through efficient waste management and resource recovery.
